It is anticipated that global wine production will drop to the lowest level in the last 60 years in 2023, due to poor harvests in the southern hemisphere and some major European producers, as stated by the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV), cited by ESMagazine.

Lower Forecasts

In its initial forecasts, the OIV set global wine production, excluding juices and musts, between 241.7 million and 246.6 million hectoliters (mhl), with an average estimate of 244.1 million hectoliters.

This would be 7% lower than last year and the lowest since 1961 when it dropped to 214 million hectoliters, said the OIV. One hectoliter is equivalent to 133 standard wine bottles.

"This negative scenario can be attributed to significant declines in the main wine-producing countries in both hemispheres," said the OIV in a statement. "While in the southern hemisphere, Australia, Argentina, Chile, South Africa, and Brazil have recorded year-on-year variations between -10% and -30%, in the northern hemisphere, Italy, Spain, and Greece are the countries that have suffered the most from unfavorable climatic conditions during the growing season."

Top Producers Facing Issues

The OIV expects wine production in Italy to decrease by 12% to 44 million hectoliters, the lowest level since the poor harvest of 2017. This decline means that Italy will lose its position as the world's largest wine producer, with France poised to reclaim the top spot for the first time in nine years.

Spain, affected by drought, retained its position as the third-largest wine producer, despite its production dropping to the lowest level in the last 20 years, a 14% decrease from last year and a 19% average decline over five years.

The sharp decline in Italian and Spanish production would lead to a 7% drop in EU production this year, reaching 150 million hectoliters, the third-lowest production level since the beginning of the century.

The wine production in the United States, the fourth-largest in the world, was expected to be 25.2 million hectoliters this year, a 12% increase from 2022.

Cool temperatures and abundant winter rains in the Napa and Sonoma regions have rejuvenated the vineyards, much needed after several years of drought, said the OIV.